Substituted dibenz[b,f]azepines and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel N-substituted azaheterocyclic carboxylic acids andy esters thereof in which a substituted alkyl chain forms part of the N-substituent or salts thereof, to methods for their preparation, to compositions containing them, and to their use for the clinical treatment of painful, hyperalgesic and/or inflammatory conditions in which C-fibers play a pathophysiological role by eliciting neurogenic pain or inflammation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S application Ser. Nos.08/623,289 filed Mar. 28, 1996 and 08/544,682 filed Oct. 18, 1995, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,795,888, which is a division of application Ser. No.08/367,648 filed Jan. 3, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,989, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. 119 of Danish applications 1005/95 filed Sep.11, 1995; 0405/95 filed Apr. 7, 1995; 0019/94 filed on Jan. 4, 1994; and1290/94 filed on Nov. 9, 1994, the contents of which are fullyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel N-substituted azaheterocycliccarboxylic acids and esters thereof in which a substituted alkyl chainforms part of the N-substituent or salts thereof, to methods for theirpreparation, to compositions containing them, and to their use for theclinical treatment of painful, hyperalgesic and/or inflammatoryconditions in which C-fibers play a pathophysiological role by elicitingneurogenic pain or inflammation. The invention also relates to the useof the present compounds for the treatment of insulin resistance innon-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or aging, the presentcompounds knowing to interfere with neuropeptide containing C-fibres andhence inhibit the secretion and circulation of insulin antagonizingpeptides like CGRP or amylin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The nervous system exerts a profound effect on the inflammatoryresponse. Antidromic stimulation of sensory nerves results in localizedvasodilation and increased vascular permeability (Janecso et al. Br. J.Pharmacol. 1967, 31, 138-151) and a similar response is observedfollowing injection of peptides known to be present in sensory nerves.From this and other data it is postulated that peptides released fromsensory nerve endings mediate many inflammatory responses in tissueslike skin, joint, urinary tract, eye, meninges, gastro-intestinal andrespiratory tracts. Hence inhibition of sensory nerve peptide releaseand/or activity, may be useful in treatment of, for example arthritis,dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma, cystitis, gingivitis, thrombo-phlelitis,glaucoma, gastrointestinal diseases or migraine.

Further, the potent effects of CGRP on skeletal muscle glycogen synthaseactivity and muscle glucose metabolism, together with the notion thatthis peptide is released from the neuromuscular junction by nerveexcitation, suggest that CGRP may play a physiological role in skeletalmuscle glucose metabolism by directing the phosphorylated glucose awayfrom glycogen storage and into the glycolytic and oxidative pathways(Rossetti et al. Am. J. Physiol. 264, E1-E10, 1993). This peptide mayrepresent an important physiological modulator of intracellular glucosetrafficking in physiological conditions, such as exercise, and may alsocontribute to the decreased insulin action and skeletal muscle glycogensynthase in pathophysiological conditions like NIDDM or aging-associatedobesity (Melnyk et al. Obesity Res. 3, 337-344, 1995) where circulatingplasma levels of CGRP are markedly increased. Hence inhibition ofrelease and/or activity of the neuropeptide CGRP may be useful in thetreatment of insulin resistance related to type 2 diabetes or aging.

In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,383,999 and 4,514,414 and in EP 236342 as well as inEP 231996 some derivatives ofN-(4,4-disubstituted-3-butenyl)azaheterocyclic carboxylic acids areclaimed as inhibitors of GABA uptake. In EP 342635 and EP 374801,N-substituted azaheterocyclic carboxylic acids in which an oxime ethergroup and vinyl ether group forms part of the N-substituent respectivelyare claimed as inhibitors of GABA uptake. Further, in WO 9107389 and WO9220658, N-substituted azacyclic carboxylic acids are claimed as GABAuptake inhibitors. EP 221572 claims that1-aryloxyalkylpyridine-3-carboxylic acids are inhibitors of GABA uptake.

In addition to the above cited references, U.S. Pat. No. 3,074,953discloses1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-4-phenyl4-piperidinecarboxylicacid ethyl ester as a psychotropic drug. Analogous 1-substituted4-phenyl-4-piperidinecarboxylic acid ester derivatives to the abovecited compound are described (J. Med. Chem. 1967, 10, 627-635 and J.Org. Chem. 1962, 27, 230-240) as analgesics, antispasmodics andpsychotropics. In JP 49032544, JP 48040357, FR 2121423, GB 1294550 andDE 2101066, 1-substituted 4-dialkylamino4-piperidinecarboxamides aredisclosed as psychotropic agents, for the treatment of schizophrenia andas inhibitors of inflammation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel N-substituted azaheterocycliccarboxylic acids and esters thereof of formula I ##STR1## wherein R¹ andR² independently are hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, NR⁶ R⁷,hydroxy, C₁₋₆ -alkyl or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy; and

Y is >N--CH₂ --, >CH--CH₂ -- or >C═CH-- wherein only the underscoredatom participates in the ring system; and

X is --O--, --S--, --C(R⁶ R⁷)--, --CH₂ CH₂ --, --CH═OH--CH₂ --, --CH₂--CH═CH--, --CH₂ --(C═O)--, --(C═O)--CH₂ --, --CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ --,--CH═CH--, --N(R⁸)--(C═O)--, --(C═O)--N(R⁸)--, --O--CH₂ --, CH₂ --O--,--S--CH₂ --, --CH₂ --S--, --(C═O)--, --N(R⁹)-- or --(S═O)-- wherein R⁶,R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ independently are hydrogen or C₁₋₆ -alkyl; and

r is 1, 2 or 3; and

Z is selected from ##STR2## wherein n is 1 or 2; and R³ is --(CH₂)_(m)OH or --(CH₂)_(p) COR⁴ wherein m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 and p is 0 or1 and wherein R⁴ is --OH, --NH₂, --NHOH or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy; and

R⁵ is hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, C₁₋₆ -alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy; and

R¹⁰ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ -alkyl, C₁₋₆ -alkoxy or phenyl optionallysubstituted with halogen, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, C₁₋₆ -alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy; and

R¹¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ -alkyl; and . . . is optionally a single bond ora double bond;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The compounds of formula I may exist as geometric and optical isomersand all isomers and mixtures thereof are included herein. Isomers may beseparated by means of standard methods such as chromatographictechniques or fractional crystallization of suitable salts.

Preferably, the compounds of formula I exist as the individual geometricor optical isomers.

The compounds according to the invention may optionally exist aspharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts or--when the carboxylicacid group is not esterified--as pharmaceutically acceptable metal saltsor--optionally alkylated--ammonium salts.

Examples of such salts include inorganic and organic acid addition saltssuch as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulphate, phosphate, acetate,fumarate, maleate, citrate, lactate, tartrate, oxalate or similarpharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acid addition salts,and include the pharmaceutically acceptable salts listed in Journal ofPharmaceutical Science, 66, 2 (1977) which are hereby incorporated byreference.

The term "C₁₋₆ -alkyl" as used herein, alone or in combination, refersto a straight or branched, saturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 6carbon atoms such as e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl,n-hexyl, 4-methylpentyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl,2,2-dimethylpropyl and 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl.

The term "C₁₋₆ -alkoxy" as used herein, alone or in combination, refersto a straight or branched monovalent substituent comprising a C₁₋₆-alkyl group linked through an ether oxygen having its free valence bondfrom the ether oxygen and having 1 to 6 carbon atoms e.g. methoxy,ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, pentoxy.

The term "halogen" means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Illustrative examples of compounds encompassed by the present inventioninclude:

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-3-piperidinecarboxamide;

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-2-piperidinecarboxylicacid;

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-3-piperidinyl)methanol;

4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)4-piperidinol;

4-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-2-piperazinecarboxylicacid;

(2S,4R)-1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-hydroxy-2-5 pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid;

4-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-2-morpholinecarboxylicacid;

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-2-aziridinecarboxylicacid;

2-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro4-isoquinolinecarboxylicacid;

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-methyl-[1,4]-diazepane-6-carboxylic acid;

2-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid;

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-3-piperidinecarboxylic acid hydroxamide;

(4-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)piperazin-1-yl)acetic acid;

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5Hdibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)4-piperidineacetic acid;

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;

(R)-1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-3-piperidinecarboxamide;

(R)-1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylicacid;

(S)-1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylicacid;

(R)-1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-2-piperidinecarboxylicacid;

1-(3-(10H-Phenoxazin-10-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylic acid;

1-(3-(3-Chloro-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]lazepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-3-piperidineaceticacid;

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-2-methyl-3-piperidinecarboxylicacid;

1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-3-quinuclidinium-carboxylate;

1-(3-(2,8-Dibromo-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;

1-(3-(3,7-Dichloro-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;

1-(3-(3-Methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;

1-(3-(3,7-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;

1-(3-(3-Dimethylamino-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

As used herein, the term "patient" includes any mammal which couldbenefit from treatment of neurogenic pain or inflammation or insulinresistance in NIDDM. The term particularly refers to a human patient,but is not intended to be so limited.

It has been demonstrated that the novel compounds of formula I inhibitneurogenic inflammation which involves the release of neuropeptides fromperipheral and central endings of sensory C-fibres. Experimentally thiscan be demonstrated in animal models of formalin induced pain or pawoedema (Wheeler and Cowan, Agents Actions 1991, 34, 264-269) in whichthe novel compounds of formula I exhibit a potent inhibitory effect.Compounds of formula I may be used to treat all painful, hyperalgesicand/or inflammatory conditions in which C-fibers play apathophysiological role by eliciting neurogenic pain or inflammation,i.e.:

Acutely painful conditions exemplified by migraine, postoperative pain,bums, bruises, post-herpetic pain (Zoster) and pain as it is generallyassociated with acute inflammation; chronic, painful and/or inflammatoryconditions exemplified by various types of neuropathy (diabetic,post-traumatic, toxic), neuralgia, rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis,gout, inflammatory bowel disease, prostatitis, cancer pain, chronicheadache, coughing, asthma, chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory skindisease including psoriasis and autoimmune dermatoses, osteoporoticpain.

Further, it has been demonstrated that the compounds of general formulaI improves the glucose tolerance in diabetic ob/ob mice and that thismay result from the reduced release of CGRP from peripheral nervousendings Hence the compounds of general formula I may be used in thetreatment of NIDDM as well as aging-associated obesity. Experimentallythis has been demonstrated by the subcutaneous administration of glucoseinto oblob mice with or without previous oral treatment with a compoundof general formula I.

The compounds of formula I may be prepared by the following method:##STR3##

A compound of formula II wherein R¹, R², X, Y and r are as defined aboveand W is a suitable leaving group such as halogen, p-toluene sulphonateor mesylate may be reacted with an azaheterocyclic compound of formulaIII wherein Z is as defined above. This alkylation reaction may becarried out in a solvent such as acetone, dibutylether, 2-butanone,methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran (THF) or toluene inthe presence of a base e.g. sodium hydride and a catalyst, e.g. analkali metal iodide at a temperature up to reflux temperature for thesolvent used for e.g. 1 to 120 h. If esters have been prepared in whichR⁴ is alkoxy, compounds of formula I wherein R⁴ is OH may be prepared byhydrolysis of the ester group, preferably at room temperature in amixture of an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution and an alcoholsuch as methanol or ethanol, for example, for about 0.5 to 6 h.

Compounds of formula II and III may readily be prepared by methodsfamiliar to those skilled in the art.

Under certain circumstances it may be necessary to protect theintermediates used in the above methods e.g. a compound of formula Illwith suitable protecting groups. The carboxylic acid group can, forexample, be esterified. Introduction and removal of such groups isdescribed in "Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry" J. F. W. McOrnieed. (New York, 1973).

Pharmacological Methods

Formalin induced pain or paw oedema

Values for in vivo inhibition of formalin induced pain or oedema for thecompounds of the present invention were assessed in mice essentially bythe method of Wheeler-Aceto and Cowan (Agents Action 1991, 34, 265-269).

About 20 g NMRI female mice were injected 20 μl 1% formalin into theleft hind paw. The animals were then placed on a heated (31° C.) table,and the pain response was scored. After 1 h they were killed and bled.Left and right hind paws were removed and the weight difference betweenthe paws was used as indication of the oedema response of the formalininjected paw.

Reduced release of CGRP

ob/ob female mice, 16 weeks of age, where injected glucose (2g/kg)subcutaneously. At times hereafter blood glucose was determined in tailvenous blood by the glucose oxidase method. At the end of the study theanimals were decapitated and trunck blood collected. Immunoreactive CGRPwas determined in plasma by radio-immuno-assay. Two groups of animalswere used. The one group was vehicle treated, whereas the other groupreceived a compound of formula I via drinking water (100 mg/l) for fivedays before the test.

Values for inhibition of formalin induced pain response for somerepresentative rded in table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Inhibition of formalin induced pain response at 0.1 mg/kg                             Example no.                                                                             % Pain inhibition                                           ______________________________________                                        2             13                                                                4 47                                                                          5 36                                                                          8 34                                                                          9 29                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

For the above indications the dosage will vary depending on the compoundof formula I employed, on the mode of administration and on the therapydesired. However, in general, satisfactory results are obtained with adosage of from about 0.5 mg to about 1000 mg, preferably from about 1 mgto about 500 mg of compounds of formula I, conveniently given from 1 to5 times daily, optionally in sustained release form. Usually, dosageforms suitable for oral administration comprise from about 0.5 mg toabout 1000 mg, preferably from about 1 mg to about 500 mg of thecompounds of formula I admixed with a pharmaceutical carrier or diluent.

The compounds of formula I may be administered in a pharmaceuticallyacceptable acid addition salt form or where possible as a metal or alower alkylammonium salt. Such salt forms exhibit approximately the sameorder of activity as the free base forms.

This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising acompound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and,usually, such compositions also contain a pharmaceutical carrier ordiluent. The compositions containing the compounds of this invention maybe prepared by conventional techniques and appear in conventional forms,for example capsules, tablets, solutions or suspensions.

The pharmaceutical carrier employed may be a conventional solid orliquid carrier. Examples of solid carriers are lactose, terra alba,sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate andstearic acid. Examples of liquid carriers are syrup, peanut oil, oliveoil and water.

Similarly, the carrier or diluent may include any time delay materialknown to the art, such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate,alone or mixed with a wax.

If a solid carrier for oral administration is used, the preparation canbe tabletted, placed in a hard gelatin capsule in powder or pellet formor it can be in the form of a troche or lozenge. The amount of solidcarrier will vary widely but will usually be from about 25 mg to about 1g. If a liquid carrier is used, the preparation may be in the form of asyrup, emulsion, soft gelatin capsule or sterile injectable liquid suchas an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid suspension or solution.

Generally, the compounds of this invention are dispensed in unit dosageform comprising 50-200 mg of active ingredient in or together with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier per unit dosage.

The dosage of the compounds according to this invention is 1-500 mg/day,e.g. about 100 mg per dose, when administered to patients, e.g. humans,as a drug.

A typical tablet which may be prepared by conventional tablettingtechniques contains

    ______________________________________                                        Core:                                                                           Active compound (as free compound 100 mg                                      or salt thereof)                                                              Colloidal silicon dioxide (Areosil                                                                           ®) 1.5 mg                                  Cellulose, microcryst. (Avicel ®) 70 mg                                   Modified cellulose gum (Ac-Di-Sol ®) 7.5 mg                               Magnesium stearate                                                          Coating:                                                                        HPMC approx. 9 mg                                                             *Mywacett ® 9-40 T approx. 0.9 mg                                       ______________________________________                                         *Acylated monoglyceride used as plasticizer for film coating.            

The route of administration may be any route which effectivelytransports the active compound to the appropriate or desired site ofaction, such as oral or parenteral e.g. rectal, transdermal,subcutaneous, intranasal, intramuscular, topical, intravenous,intraurethral, ophthalmic solution or an ointment, the oral route beingpreferred.

EXAMPLES

The process for preparing compounds of formula I and preparationscontaining them is further illustrated in the following examples, which,however, are not to be construed as limiting.

Hereinafter, TLC is thin layer chromatography, CDCl₃ is deuteriochloroform and DMSO-d₆ is hexadeuterio dimethylsulfoxide. The structuresof the compounds are confirmed by either elemental analysis or NMR,where peaks assigned to characteristic protons in the title compoundsare presented where appropriate. ¹ H NMR shifts (δ_(H)) are given inparts per million (ppm). M.p. is melting point and is given in °C. andis not corrected. Column chromatography was carried out using thetechnique described by W. C. Still et al, J. Org. Chem. (1978), 43,2923-2925 on Merck silica gel 60 (Art. 9385). Compounds used as startingmaterials are either known compounds or compounds which can readily beprepared by methods known per se.

Example 1 ##STR4##

To a suspension of 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine (1 5.2 g, 0.078mol) in toluene (100 ml), 3-chloropropionyl chloride (9.50 ml, 0.099mol) was added, and the resulting mixture was heated at refluxtemperature for 1 h. Saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (100 ml) wasadded, and the phases were separated. The organic phase was washed withbrine (100 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. This afforded23.6 g of3-chloro-1-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propanone as asolid which was used in the following step without further purification.

M.p. 107-108° C.

Calculated for C₁₇ H₁₆ ClNO: C, 71.45%; H, 5.64%; N, 4.90%. Found: C,71.45%; H, 5.79%; N, 5.01%.

To a solution of 3-chloro-1-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propanone (14.0 g, 0.044mol) in tetrahydrofuran (150 ml) at 0° C., sodium borohydride (6.66 g,0.176 mol) was added, followed by dropwise addition of glacial aceticacid (10.0 ml). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperatureovernight and then heated at reflux temperature for 2 h. More sodiumborohydride (6.50 g, 172 mmol) and then borontrifluoride diethyletherate (20.0 ml, 0.163 mol) were added and heating at refluxtemperature was continued for 20 h. Water (350 ml) was cautiously addedand the phases were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted withtoluene (3×100 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with brine(3×100 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue waspurified by flash chromatography on silica gel (100 g) using a gradientof heptane and ethyl acetate (10:0→10:2), to give 4.58 g (38%) of5-(3-chloropropyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine as an oil.

TLC: Rf=0.63 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:2).

A mixture of 4-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (2.55 g, 16.2mmol), acetonitrile (13 ml), the above chloride (2.00 g, 0.0074 mol) andpotassium iodide (1.14 g, 0.0068 mol) was heated at reflux temperaturefor 4 h and then stirred at room temperature overnight. Water (50 ml)was added and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×20 ml).The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (2×20 ml), dried(MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flashchromatography on silica gel using a gradient of heptane and ethylacetate (10:1→1:1), to give 1.6 g (54%) of1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)4-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.26 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:1).

Calculated for C₂₅ H₃₂ N₂ O₂ : C, 76.50%; H, 8.22%; N, 7.14%. Found: C,76.34%; H, 8.51%; N, 6.88%.

The above ester (1.01 9, 2.57 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (10 ml),and a solution of sodium hydroxide (0.59 g, 14.8 mmol) in water (1.5 ml)was added. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3.5h. A mixture of water (20 ml) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (3.0ml) was added, and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane(3×15 ml). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (20 ml)and dried (MgSO₄). Evaporation of the solvent gave a foam, which wasredissolved in a mixture of methanol (1.0 ml) and ethyl acetate (5.0ml). Concentration in vacuo afforded a solid, which was suspended inethyl acetate (15 ml), heated at reflux temperature for 1 minute andallowed to cool to room temperature. The solid was filtered off anddried to give 0.9 g (88%) of the title compound as a powder.

Mp 195-197° C.

Calculated. for C₂₃ H₂₈ N₂ O₂,HCl: C, 68.90%; H₁ 7.29%; N, 6.99%. Found:C, 68.90%; H, 7.55%; N, 6.72%

Example 2 ##STR5##

Ethyl malonyl chloride (25.0 g, 0.166 mol) was added to a suspension of10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine (27.6 g, 0.141 mol) in toluene (250ml), and the resulting mixture was heated at reflux temperature for 1 h.Saturated, aqueous sodium bicarbonate (200 ml) was added, and the phaseswere separated. The organic phase was washed with brine (2×150 ml),dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. This afforded 56.0 g (100%) of3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-3-oxopropionic acid ethylester as an oil, which was used in the following step without furtherpurification.

Lithium aluminum hydride (20.0 g, 0.527 mol) was introduced into aroundbottom flask under a nitrogen atmosphere. Toluene (800 ml) wasadded, followed by tetrahydrofuran (80 ml). The resulting suspension wascooled to 10-20° C. The above crude 3-oxopropionic acid ester wasdissolved in tetrahydrofuran (250 ml) and slowly added dropwise. Theaddition rate was adjusted to assure that the temperature was kept at10-20° C. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperatureovernight. After cooling, 2 N sodium hydroxide (200 ml) was added.cautiously. Water (1.0 I) was added, the organic layer was decanted offand the aqueous phase was extracted with toluene (2×300 ml). Thecombined organic phases were washed with brine (2×100 ml), dried (MgSO₄)and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flashchromatography on silica gel (175 g) using a gradient of heptane andethyl acetate (10:0→2:1), affording 21.2 g (59%) of3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz-[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propanol as an oil.

To a stirred solution of the above alcohol (1.01 g, 0.004 mol) andtriethylamine (1.02 g, 0.010 mol) in toluene (25 ml) at 0° C.,methanesulfonyl chloride (0.6 ml, 0.0077 mol) was added dropwise over 10minutes. The resulting mixture, was stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 h. Water(50 ml) was added and the phases were separated. The aqueous phase wasextracted with toluene (50 ml), and the combined organic phases werewashed with brine (2×50 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo.The crude mesylate was mixed with 4-(4-chlorophenyl)piperidin-4-ol (0.81g, 0.004 mol) and potassium carbonate (1.08 g, 0.008 mol) inacetonitrile (9 ml) and heated at reflux temperature for 6 h. Thereaction mixture was left stirring at room temperature for 2 days. Water(50 ml) was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×15ml), washed with brine (2×20 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated invacuo. Water (50 ml) was added and the mixture was acidified by additionof concentrated hydrochloric acid (3 ml). The aqueous solution wasextracted with dichloromethane (2×20 ml), washed with brine (2×20 ml),dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting oil was dissolvedin a mixture of ethyl acetate (15 ml) and methanol (2 ml). Heptane wasadded in small portions, just until the solution turned slightly turbid.After 4 h, crystals were filtered off, washed with heptane and dried,affording 1.1 g (61%) of the title compound as a solid.

M.p. 189-191° C.

Calculated for C₂₈ H₃₀ N₂ 0, HCl: C, 69.56%; H, 6.67%; N, 5.79%; Found:C, 69.88%; H, 6.92%; N, 5.62%.

Example 3 ##STR6##

A mixture of 3-(hydroxymethyl)piperidine (1.01 g, 0.0088 mol),acetonitrile (9 ml),5-(3-chloropropyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepine (0.86 g, 0.003mol, pre-pared similarly as described in example 1) and potassium iodide(0.56 g, 0.003 mol) was heated at reflux temperature for 18 h. Water (20ml) was added, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×15ml). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (2×20 ml),dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was redissolved ina mixture of water (20 ml) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (3 ml),and extracted with dichloromethane (3×10 ml). The combined organicextracts were washed with brine (20 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentratedin vacuo. The residue was crystallised from a mixture of methanol (0.5ml) and ethyl acetate (5 ml), affording 0.8 g (61%) of the titlecompound as needles.

M.p. 145-147° C.

Calculated for C₂₃ H₃₀ N₂ O, HCl: C, 71.39; H, 8.07; N, 7.24; Found: C,71.15; H, 8.29; N, 7.01

Example 4 ##STR7##

To a stirred solution of3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propanol (1.44 g, 0.0057mol, prepared similarly as described in example 2) and triethylamine(1.46 g, 0.014 mol) in toluene (40 ml) at 0° C., methanesulfonylchloride (0.88 ml, 0.011 mol) was added dropwise over 10 minutes. Theresulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 h. Toluene (50 ml) andwater (100 ml) were added, and the phases were separated. The aqueousphase was extracted with toluene (50 ml), and the combined organicphases were washed with brine (2×100 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentratedin vacuo. The residue was dissolved in acetonitrile (20 ml) and3-piperidinecarboxamide (1.09 g, 0.0085 mol) and potassium carbonate(1.76 g, 0.013 mol) were added. The mixture was heated at refluxtemperature for 4 h, and stirred at room temperature for 40 h. Water (20ml) was added, and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×20ml). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (2×20 ml),dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Water (20 ml) and concentratedhydrochloric acid (3.0 ml) were added, and the mixture was extractedwith dichloromethane (2×20 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo.The residue was redissolved in a mixture of warm ethyl acetate (10 ml)and methanol (1.0 ml), and after standing for 5 h at room temperature, aprecipitate was filtered off and dried, affording 1.56 g (64%) of thetitle compound.

HPLC retention time 20.44 minutes (5 μm C18 4×250 mm column, elutingwith a 20-80% gradient of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid/acetonitrile and0.1% trifluoroacetic acid/water over 30 minutes at 35° C.)

Calculated for C₂₃ H₂₉ N₃ O, HCl, 1.5 H₂ O: C, 64.70%; H, 7.78%; N,9.84%;. Found: C, 65.13%; H, 7.85%; N, 9.85%.

Example 5 ##STR8##

A mixture of 2-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride (0.60g, 0.003 mol), acetonitrile (10 ml),5-(3-chloropropyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepine (0.60 g, 0.002mol, prepared similarly as described in example 1), potassium iodide(0.40 g, 0.002 mol), potassium carbonate (1.03 g, 0.008 mol) andN,N-dimethylformamide (5 ml) was heated at reflux temperature for 85 h.Water (50 ml) was added, and the aqueous solution was extracted withethyl acetate (3×20 ml). The combined organic extracts were washed withbrine (2×50 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The productwas purified by column chromatography on silica gel (15 g) using agradient of heptane and ethyl acetate (100:0→100:25), affording 0.83 g(97%) of 1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethylester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.58 (SiO₂ :heptane/ethyl acetate=1:1).

The above ester (0.83 g, 0.002 mol) was dissolved in a mixture ofethanol (8 ml), water (2 ml) and sodium hydroxide (0.58 g, 0.015 mol).The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 50 h and at 50°C. for 5 h. Water (50 ml) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (3 ml) wereadded, and the resulting mixture was extracted with dichloromethane(3×10 ml). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (2×20ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue wasre-dissolved in methanol (2 ml) and ethyl acetate (5 ml) andconcentrated in vacuo. The solid residue was washed with a small amountof ethyl acetate and dried, affording 0.6 g (73%) of the title compoundas a powder.

M.p. 122-126° C.

Calculated for C₂₃ H₂₈ N₂ O₂, HCl, 0.25 H₂ O: C, 68.14%; H, 7.33%; N,6.91%; Found: C, 68.34%; H, 7.63%; N, 6.66%.

Example 6 ##STR9##

A mixture of 2-piperazinecarboxylic acid dihydrochloride (5.06 g, 0.025mol), ethanol (100 ml) and concentrated sulphuric acid (6.0 ml) washeated at,reflux temperature for 6 days. Toluene (10 ml) was added, andthe resulting mixture was concentrated in vacuo to 2/3 of its originalvolume. Cold, saturated aqueous potassium carbonate (80 ml) was addedand the mixture was extracted with toluene (3×100 ml). The combinedorganic extracts were washed with brine (30 ml), dried (MgSO₄) andconcentrated in vacuo, affording 1.0 g (26%) of 2-piperazinecarboxylicacid ethyl ester as an oil. The oil crystallised upon standing at roomtemperature.

To a stirred solution of3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propanol (1.17 g, 0.0046mol, prepared similarly as described in example 2) and triethylamine(1.18 g, 0.012 mol) in toluene (30 ml) at 0° C., methanesulfonylchloride (0.70 ml, 0.009 mol) was added dropwise over 10 minutes. Theresulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h. Toluene (50 ml) andwater (100 ml) were added, and the phases were separated. The aqueouslayer was extracted with toluene (50 ml), and the combined organicphases were washed with brine (2×100 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentratedin vacuo. The residue was dissolved in acetonitrile (10 ml) and theabove 2-piperazine-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1.40 g, 0.0089 mol),potassium carbonate (0.67 g, 0.0049 mol) and toluene (5 ml) were added.The resulting mixture was heated at reflux temperature for 18 h. Water(50 ml) was added, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate(3×20 ml). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (2×20ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purifiedby column chromatography on silica gel (27 g) using a gradient ofmethanol and ethyl acetate (5:100→20:100), affording 0.6 g (33%) of4-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-2-piperazinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.60 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/methanol=1:1).

A mixture of the above ester (0.55 g, 0.0014 mol), ethanol (5 ml), water(1 ml) and sodium hydroxide (0.34 g, 0.0085 mol) was stirred at roomtemperature for 18 h. Water (50 ml) and concentrated hydrochloric acid(3 ml) were added and the solution was washed with dichloromethane (4×15ml). The dichloromethane extracts were discarded. The aqueous phase wasmade alkaline by addition of potassium carbonate (7.1 g) and the mixturewas extracted with dichloromethane (4×15 ml). The combined organicextracts were washed with brine (20 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentratedin vacuo. This gave 0.6 g of an oil, which was triturated withacetonitrile (2 ml) and then dried in vacuo, affording 0.5 g (90%) ofthe title compound as a waxy solid.

M.p. 151-155° C.

Calculated for C₂₂ H₂₆ N₃ O₃ K, 0.5 H₂ O: C, 64.05%; H, 6.59%; N,10.18%; Found: C, 64.34%; H, 7.04%; N, 10.16%.

Example 7 ##STR10##

To a solution of 3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propanol(1.44 g, 0.0057 mol, prepared similarly as described in example 2) indichloromethane (30 ml) at 0° C., triethylamine (1.73 g, 0.017 mol) wasadded followed by methanesulfonyl chloride (0.9 ml, 0.012 mol). Theresulting mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C. Water (50 ml) wasadded, the phases were separated, and the organic layer was washed withbrine (20 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue wasdissolved in acefonitrile (10 ml), N-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)piperazine(2.44 g, 0.014 mol) was added and the reaction mixture was heated at 82°C. for 5.5 h. Water (50 ml) was added and the mixture was extracted withethyl acetate (3×20 ml). The combined organic extracts were washed withbrine (30 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue waspurified by column chromatography on silica gel (35 g) using ethylacetate as eluent. This gave 1.5 g (63%) of4-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-1-piperazineaceticacid ethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.18 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate).

A mixture of the above ester (0.94 g, 0.0023 mol), ethanol (5 ml), water(1 ml) and sodium hydroxide (0.31 g, 0.0078 mol) was stirred at roomtemperature for 4.5 h. Water (50 ml) and concentrated hydrochloric acid(3 ml) were added and the solution was washed with dichloromethane (3×10ml). The organic extracts were discarded. The aqueous phase was madealkaline by addition of 4 N sodium hydroxide (20 ml) and potassiumcarbonate (4 g). The mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (5×20ml), and the combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) andconcentrated in vacuo, affording 0.9 g of a foam. The foam wastriturated and washed with ethyl acetate (2 ml), and dried in vacuo,affording 0.5 g (56%) of the title compound as a solid.

HPLC retention time=17.81 minutes (5 μm C18 4×250 mm column, elutingwith a 20-80% gradient of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid/acetonitrile and0.1% trifluoroacetic acid/water over 30 minutes at 35° C.)

¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.60 (m, 2H), 2.10-2.60 (m, 12H), 3.12 (bs,4H), 3.68 (m, 2H), 6.83-7.17 (m, 8H).

Example 8 ##STR11##

A mixture of 2-morpholinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (0.50 g, 0.0031mol, prepared similarly as described in Tetrahedron Letters, Volume 32,2281-4, 1991), acetonitrile (6 ml), potassium carbonate (0.50 g, 0.0036mol), potassium iodide (0.54 9, 0.0033 mol), methanesulfonic acid3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl ester (0.36 g,0.0011 mol, prepared similarly as described in example 2) and5-(3-chloropropyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine (0.40 g, 0.0015mol, prepared similarly as described in example 1) was heated at refluxtemperature for 22 h. Water (50 ml) was added, and the mixture wasextracted with ethyl acetate (3×15 ml). The combined organic phases werewashed with brine (20 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. Theproduct was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (30 g) usinga gradient of heptane and ethyl acetate (10:0→10:4). This gave 0.4 g(42%) of4-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-2-morpholinecarboxylicacid ethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.33 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:1).

A mixture of the above ester (0.40 g, 0.0010 mol), ethanol (10 ml) and 4N sodium hydroxide (2 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 17 h.Water (50 ml) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (3 ml) were added andthe mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×20 ml). The combinedorganic extracts were washed with brine (20 ml) and dried (MgSO₄). Afterfiltering off the drying agent, a solid started to precipitate from thesolution. After standing for 4 h at room temperature, the precipitatewas filtered off, and the product was dried in vacuo. This gave 0.2 g(49%) of the title compound as a solid.

M.p. 196-199° C.

Calculated for C₂₂ H₂₆ N₂ O₃, HCl, 0.25 H₂ O: C, 64.86%; H, 6.80%; N,6.88%; Found: C, 65.12%; H, 7.09%; N, 6.39%.

Example 9 ##STR12##

To a solution of 3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propanol(1.05 g, 0.0041 mol, prepared similarly as described in example 2) indichloromethane (40 ml) at 0° C., triethylamine (1.28 g, 0.013 mol) wasadded, followed by methanesulfonyl chloride (0.9 ml, 0.012 mol). Afterstirring for 30 minutes at 0° C., water (50 ml) was added and the phaseswere separated. The organic layer was washed with brine (20 ml), dried(MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved inacetonitrile (12 ml), and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxylicacid methyl ester (1.13 g, 0.0050 mol), N,N-dimethyl-formamide (5 ml),potassium carbonate (1.32 g, 0.0096 mol) and potassium iodide (0.30 g,0.0018 mol) were added. The reaction mixture was heated at 82° C. for 12h. N,N-Dimethylformamide (5 ml) was added and heating was continued forfurther 16 h. Water (50 ml) was added and the mixture was extracted withethyl acetate (3×20 ml). The combined organic extracts were washed withbrine (2×20 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The productwas purified by column chromatography on silica gel (80 g) using agradient of heptane and ethyl acetate (10:0→10:3), affording 1.4 g (76%)of2-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxylicacid methyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.61 (SiO₂ :heptanelethyl acetate=1:1).

A mixture of the above ester (0.80 g, 0.0019 mol), ethanol (5 ml),tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) and 4 N sodium hydroxide (4 ml) was stirred atroom temperature for 22 h. Water (50 ml) and concentrated hydrochloricacid (2 ml) were added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate(2×20 ml). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (10 ml),dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. This gave 0.8 g of a solid,which was triturated and washed with ethyl acetate (2×5 ml). Drying invacuo, afforded 0.6 g (75%) of the title compound as a solid.

M.p. 205-208° C.

Calculated for C₂₇ H₂₈ N₂ O₂, HCl, 0.25 H₂ 0: C, 71.51%; H, 6.56%; N,6.18%; Found: C, 71.34%; H, 6.69%; N, 5.90%.

Example 10 ##STR13##

A mixture of 5-(3-chloropropyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine (1.5g, 0.0055 mol, prepared similarly as described in example 1) andpotassium iodide (5.4 g, 0.0327 mol) in methyl ethyl ketone (100 ml) washeated at reflux temperature for 2.5 h. Potassium carbonate (1.5 g,0.0109 mol) and 4-piperidineacetic acid ethyl ester (1.4 g, 0.0082 mmol,described in J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 75, 6249, 1953) were added and thereaction mixture was stirred at 75° C. overnight. After cooling, thereaction mixture was filtered (Hyflo) and the solvent was evaporated invacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel(150 g) using a gradient of heptane and ethyl acetate (1:1→3:7), to give0.6 g of1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)4-piperidineaceticacid ethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.10 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:1).

To a solution of the above ester (0.6 g, 0.0015 mol) in ethanol (5 ml) 4N sodium hydroxide (0.8 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 2.5 h and then left in a freezer overnight. Thecold reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature during 1h, and 4 N hydrochloric acid (1.2 ml) and water (10 ml) were added. Themixture was extracted with dichloromethane (2×100 ml). The combinedorganic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and the solvent was evaporated. invacuo. The residue was reevaporated with a mixture of acetone andisopropyl acetate and then treated with a mixture of acetone andisopropyl acetate to give a solid which was isolated and dried in vacuo.This afforded 0.33 g of the title compound.

M.p. 185-188° C.

Calculated. for C₂₄ H₃₀ N₂ O₂,HCl: C, 69.47%; H, 7.53%; N, 6.75%. Found:C, 69.21%; H, 7.80%; N, 6.45%.

Example 11 ##STR14##

5-(3-Bromo-1-propylidene)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene(3.00 g, 0.0096 mol), potassium carbonate (8.3 g, 0.060 mol), potassiumiodide (3.3 g, 0.020 mol) and 4-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester(3.1 ml, 0.020 mol) was mixed in methyl ethyl ketone (100 ml) and heatedat reflux temperature for 20 h and stirred at room temperature for 3days. Water (100 ml) was added, the phases were separated, and theaqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase wasdried (MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo to give the crude product inalmost quantitative yield. The crude product was treated with 1 Nhydrochloric acid and ethyl acetate, evaporated to dryness andcrystallised from ethyl acetate to give 2.89 g of1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid ethyl ester hydrochloride as a solid.

M.p. 169-170° C.

A mixture of the above ester (0.105 g, 0.27 mmol), ethanol (15 ml) and 1N sodium hydroxide (10 ml) was heated at reflux temperature for 3 h andthen cooled to room temperature. Water.(75 ml) was added, and themixture was acidified with 5 N hydrochloric acid and extracted withdichloromethane (3×75 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo. Theresulting foam was crystallised from acetone affording 0.080 g of thetitle compound as crystals.

M.p. 224-226° C.

Calculated. for C₂₄ H₂₇ NO₂,HCl: C, 72.44%; H, 7.09%; N, 3.52% Found: C,72.83%; H, 7.38%; N, 3.23%.

Example 12 ##STR15##

(R)-1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-3-piperidinecarboxylicacid hydrochloride (4.96 g, 12.5 mmol, prepared as described in WO9518793) was dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (60 ml).N-Hydroxybenzotriazole (1.86 g, 13.8 mmol) and1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (2.64 g,13.8 mmol) were added, and the resulting mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 20 minutes. Ammonium hydrogencarbonate (1.98 g, 25 mmol)was added and the mixture was stirred 1 day at room temperature. Ethylacetate (200 ml) was added and the resulting mixture was extracted withwater (200 ml), 5% aqueous citric acid (200 ml), and saturated sodiumhydrogencarbonate (200 ml). The combined aqueous phases were evaporatedto dryness in vacuo and the residue was extracted with dichloromethane(200 ml). The resulting dichloromethane suspension was filtered andevaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silicagel (600 ml) using a mixture of ethyl acetate and triethyl amine (95:5)as eluent. This afforded 1.92 g (43%) of the free base as an oil, whichwas converted to the hydrochloride by dissolution in diethyl ether (25ml) and addition of 1 N hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether (5.9 ml).Filtration followed by drying in vacuo, afforded 1.53 g, (31%) of thetitle compound as a solid.

TLC: R=0.33 (SiO₂ :Ethyl acetate/triethylamine=95:5).

¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.38 (dq, 1H), 1.75-1.97 (m, 3H), 2.5-3.7(m, 13H), 5.78 (t, 1H), 7.0-7.3 (m, 8H), 7.63 (s, 1H), 10.8 (s, 1H).

M.p. >250° C.

Calculated for C₂₄ H₂₈ N₂ O, HCl: C, 72.62%; H, 7.36%; N, 7.06%; Found:C, 72.24%; H, 7.59%; N, 6.87%.

Example 13 ##STR16##

5-(3-Bromo-1-propylidene)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene(3.86 g, 12.3 mmol, prepared as described in WO 9518793), potassiumcarbonate (10.2 g, 74 mmol), potassium iodide (4.08 g, 24.6 mmol), andD-proline methyl ester hydrochloride (2.45 g, 14.8 mmol) were mixed inmethyl ethyl ketone (40 ml) and heated at reflux temperature for 20 h.After cooling, the mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporatedin vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silicagel (800 ml) using a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptane (1:3) aseluent. This afforded 0.96 g (22%) of(R)-1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylicacid methyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.39 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:2).

The above ester was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (40 ml), and water (5 ml)was added. 1 N Aqueous sodium hydroxide (2.15 ml) was added in portionsat room temperature over 6 h. The mixture was stirred overnight at roomtemperature. 1 N Aqueous sodium hydroxide (0.84 ml) was added inportions over 20 h. Water (100 ml) was added and the mixture was washedwith diethyl ether (2×100 ml). The aqueous phase was acidified to pH=2with 1 N hydrochloric acid and extracted with dichloromethane (2×100ml). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated invacuo to give 0.29 g (41%) of the title compound as an amorphous solid.

¹ H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.95 (bs, 2H), 2.3 (m, 2H), 2.5-3.4 (m, 11H), 5.78 (t, 1H), 7.0-7.3 (m, 8H).

Calculated for C₂₃ H₂,Nd₂, HCl: C, 71.96%; H. 6.83%; N, 3.65%, Found: C,72.15%; H, 7.37%; N, 3.40%.

Example 14 ##STR17##

5-(3-Bromo-1-propylidene)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene(2.00 g, 6.4 mmol, prepared as described in WO 9518793), potassiumcarbonate (5.3 g, 38.4 mmol), potassium iodide (2.12 g, 12.8 mmol), andL-proline methyl ester hydrochloride (1.27 g, 7.7 mmol) were mixed inmethyl ethyl ketone (40 ml) and heated at reflux temperature for 12 h.After cooling, the mixture was filtered, and the filtrate wasevaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silicagel (800 ml) using a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptane (1:2) aseluent. This afforded 1.64 g (71%) of(S)-1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylicacid methyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.39 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:2)

The above ester (1.3 g, 3.6 mmol) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (50 ml),and water (5 ml) was added. 1 N Aqueous sodium hydroxide (3.8 ml) wasadded in portions at room temperature over 6 h. The mixture was stirredovernight at room temperature. Water (100 ml) was added and the mikturewas washed with diethyl ether (2×100 ml). The aqueous phase wasacidified to pH=2 with 1 N hydrochloric acid and extracted withdichloromethane (2×100 ml). The combined organic extracts were dried(MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo to give 0.80 g (58%) of the titlecompound as an amorphous solid.

¹ H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.95 (bs, 2H), 2.3 (m, 2H), 2.5-3.4 (m, 11H), 5.78 (t, 1H), 7.0-7.3 (m, 8H).

Calculated for C₂₃ H₂,NO₂, HCl: C, 71.96%; H, 6.83%; N, 3.65%; Found: C,72.61%; H, 7.30%; N, 3.34%

Example 15 ##STR18##

5-(3-Bromo-1-propylidene)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene(10.0 g, 22 mmol, prepared as described in WO 9518793), potassiumcarbonate (18.24 g, 132 mmol), and DL-pipecolinic acid ethyl esterhydrochloride (5.40 g, 26 mmol) were mixed in ethyl acetate (50 ml) andheated at reflux temperature for 16 h. Additional potassium carbonate(10 g), DL-pipecolinic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride (2 g), and ethylacetate (50 ml) were added and the mixture was heated at refluxtemperature for 24 h. After cooling, the mixture was filtered, and thefiltrate was evaporated. The residue was purified by columnchromatography on silica gel (500 ml), eluting first withdichloromethane, and then with ethyl acetate. This afforded 7.92 g (92%)of1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.54 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=3:7)

1 N Hydrochloric acid (100 ml) was added to the above ester (7.7 g, 20mmol) and the mixture was heated for 1 h while water and ethanol wasdistilled off (20 ml distilled). Water (40 ml) was added and the mixturewas heated for 5 h while water and ethanol was distilled off. Aftercooling, toluene (100 ml) was added to the mixture. The precipitatedcrystals were isolated by filtration and washed with 1 N hydrochloricacid, affording the crude product (5.3 g). A portion of this (2.0 g) wasfurther purified by dissolution in water (100 ml, 75° C.) and additionof 37% hydrochloric acid (6 ml). The mixture was allowed to cool to roomtemperature. Filtration, washing with 1 N hydrochloric acid and dryingin vacuo afforded 1.72 g of the title compound as a solid.

M.p. 126-127° C.

¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.5-1.75 (m, 4H), 2.1 (m, 1H), 2.5-3.5 (m,11H), 4.10 (bs, 1H), 5.80 (t, 1H), 7.05-7.23 (m, 8H).

Calculated for C₂₃ H₂₆ NO₂, HCl, 0.5 H₂ O: C, 70.13%; H, 7.16%; N,3.56%, Found: C, 69.74%; H, 7.46%; N, 3.08%.

Example 16 ##STR19##

Phenoxazine (10.0 g, 54.6 mmol) was dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide(300 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere. Sodium hydride (3.27 g, 81.9 mmol,60% dispersion in oil) was added in portions, and the resulting mixturewas stirred for 20 minutes at room temperature. Dropwise,1-bromo-3-chloro-propane (21.48 g, 0.136 mmol) was added. The mixturewas stirred overnight. Ammoniumchloride (5.5 g, 0.10 mol) was added over4 minutes and stirring was continued for 30 minutes. The mixture waspoured into water (800 ml) and extracted with dichloromethane (2×600ml). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated invacuo. This afforded 16.0 g crude 10-(3-chloropropyl)-10H-phenoxazine.

The above crude chloride (5.09 g,- 17.4 mmol) was dissolved inacetonitrile (100 ml) and potassium iodide (2.74 g, 16.5 mmol) wasadded. 4-Piperidine-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (6.00 g, 38.2 mmol) wasdissolved in acetonitrile (30 ml) and added. The resulting mixture washeated at reflux temperature for 24 h and left stirring at roomtemperature for 48 h. Water (100 ml) was added followed by ethyl acetate(100 ml). The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×100 ml),and the combined organic phases were washed with brine (2×100 ml) anddried (MgSO₄). After evaporation in vacuo, the residue was purified bycolumn chromatography on silica gel (500 ml) using a mixture of heptaneand ethyl acetate (1:1) as eluent. This afforded 5.18 g (77%) of1-(3-(10H-phenoxazin-10-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethylester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.2 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:1)

The above ester (1.56 g, 4.04 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of 96%ethanol (20 ml) and tetrahydrofuran (20 ml). A solution of sodiumhydroxide (0.95 g) in water (3 ml) was added, and the reaction mixturewas stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h. 0.1 M Hydrochloric acid (28ml) was added and the mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3×30ml). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (30 ml), dried(MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo. Twice, acetone was added and thesolution was evaporated in vacuo. After a third addition of acetone,precipitation started, and the mixture was left stirring 2 h. Afterfiltration, the solid was re-suspended in acetone (25 ml) and leftstirring overnight. The solid was filtered off, washed with acetone anddried. This afforded 1.30 g (83%) of the title compound as a s6lid.

M.p. 196-198° C.

Calculated for C₂₁ H₂₄ N₂ O₃, HCl: C, 64.86%; H, 6.48%; N, 7.20%, Found:C, 64.82%; H, 6.78%; N, 6.77%.

Example 17 ##STR20##

3-Chloro-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine (3.82 g, 16.6 mmol) wasdissolved in toluene (20 ml). A solution of 3-chloropropionylchloride(2.53 g, 19.9 mmol) in toluene was added dropwise, and the resultingmixture was heated to 95° C. and stirred at that temperature for 30minutes. The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. Further3-chloropropionylchloride (2.53 g, 19.9 mmol) was added and the mixturewas stirred at 95° C. for 1.5 h. After cooling, 0.2 M sodium hydroxide(10 ml) was added, and the phases were separated. The organic phase wasdiluted with more toluene (50 ml): and washed with first 0.2 M sodiumhydroxide (6×10 ml) and then with more 0.2 M sodium hydroxide (3×20 ml)until the aqueous phase was alkaline. The organic phase was washed withwater (3×15 ml), brine (25 ml), and dried (MgSO₄). Evaporation in vacuoafforded 5.23 g (98%) of crude3-chloro-1-(3-chloro-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propanoneas an oil. This was further purified by addition of a mixture of heptaneand ethyl acetate (1:1). This afforded 3.14 g (59%) of the product as asolid.

A 1.0 M solution of lithiumaluminium hydride in tetrahydrofuran (18.7ml, 18.7 mmol) was introduced into a 250 ml dry, three-necked,roundbottom flask under a nitrogen atmosphere. The solution was cooledon an icebath. Concentrated sulphuric acid (0.5 ml) was added dropwise,with caution, over 10 minutes. More dry tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) wasadded to compensate for evaporated solvent and the mixture was stirredfor 15 minutes. Additional tetrahydrofuran was added (20 ml) and theicebath was removed. The mixture was stirred for 75 minutes at roomtemperature. The above amide (3.0 g, 9.3 mmol) was dissolved in drytetrahydrofuran (25 ml) and dropwise added over 20 minutes. The reactionmixture was stirred for 1 h. Water (0.7 ml) was added, followedsubsequently by 4 N sodium hydroxide (0.7 ml) and water (2.1 ml).Stirring was continued for 30 minutes. The mixture was filtered (hyflo)and evaporated in vacuo, affording 2.70 g (95%)3-chloro-5-(3-chloropropyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine as anoil.

The above chloride (1.50 g, 4.91 mmol) was dissolved in acetonitrile (10ml), and a solution of 4-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (1.70 g,10.8 mmol) in acetonitrile (4 ml) was added, followed by potassiumiodide (0.76 g, 4.6 mmol). The resulting mixture was heated at refluxtemperature for 24 h. Water (50 ml) was added followed by ethyl acetate(50 ml). The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×30 ml),and the combined organic phases were washed with brine (2×25 ml) anddried (MgSO₄). After evaporation in vacuo, the residue was purified bycolumn chromatography on silica gel (150 ml) using a mixture of heptaneand ethyl acetate (1:1) as eluent. This afforded 1.78 g (85 %) of1-(3-(3-chloro-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid ethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.21 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:1)

The above ester (1.70 g, 3.98 mmol) was dissolved in 99% ethanol (20ml). A solution of sodium hydroxide (0.92 g) in water (2.5 ml) wasadded, and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h.1 N Hydrochloric acid (23 ml) was added and the mixture was extractedwith dichloromethane (3×25 ml). The combined organic extracts werewashed with brine (25 ml) and water (20 ml), dried (MgSO₄) andevaporated in vacuo. Dichloromethane was added and the solution wasre-evaporated. Isopropyl acetate was added to the resulting foam, andthe precipitated solid was filtered off and dried. This afforded 1.28 g(74%) of the crude title compound. The product was redissolved inisopropariol, the solution was decanted and evaporated in vacuo.Dichloromethane was added and the solution was evaporated in vacuo.Isopropyl acetate was added to the resulting foam, and the precipitatedsolid was filtered off and dried. This procedure was repeated once more.

MS(EI) 398 (M⁺ -HCl, 18%).

HPLC retention time=24-14 minutes (5 μm C18 4×250 mm column, elutingwith a 20-80% gradient of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid/acetonitrile and0.1% trifluoroacetic acid/water over 30 minutes at 35° C.)

Example 18 ##STR21##

A suspension of 3-piperidineacetic acid (4.5 g, 0.032 mol, described inJ. Org. Chem., 2a, 602, 1963) in a mixture of dry hydrogen chloride(excess) in ethanol was stirred at ambient temperature. When the solidwas dissolved, the solution was stirred for 2 days. The solvent wasevaporated invacuo and the residue was reevaporated with diethyl ether(25 ml) and then stirred with diethyl ether (35 ml) for 20 minutes. Thesolid was isolated by filtration and dried. This afforded 6.1 g of3-piperidineacetic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride as a solid.

M.p. 111-113° C.

A mixture of potassium iodide (19.2 g, 0.12 mol) and methyl ethyl ketone(180 ml) was heated at reflux temperature for 1 h. A solution of5-(3-chloropropyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine (5.2 g, 0.019mol, prepared similarly as described in example 1) in methyl ethyfketone (25 ml) was added and heating at reflux temperature was continuedfor 3 h. Potassium carbonate (9.3 g, 0.067 mol) and 3-piperidineaceticacid ethyl ester hydrochloride (5.6 g, 0.027 mol) were added and thereaction mixture was heated at reflux temperature for 2 h. Thetemperature was lowered to just below reflux and the mixture was leftwith stirring overnight. After cooling, the reaction mixture wasfiltered (Hyflo) and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residuewas purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (225 g) using amixture of heptane and ethyl acetate (1:1) as eluent, to give 5.0 g of1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]-azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-3-piperidine-aceticacid ethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.19 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:1).

To a solution of the above ester (2.5 g, 0.0062 mol) in ethanol (10 ml),4 N sodium hydroxide (2.3 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 3 h. 4 N Hydrochloric acid (3.8 ml) and water (10ml) were added. The mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (2×250ml). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and the solventwas evaporated in vacuo. The residue was reevaporated twice with acetoneand stirred with acetone for a while. The solid was isolated byfiltration and dried. This afforded 2.4 g of the title compound as asolid.

M.p. 233-235° C.

Calculated. for C₂₄ H₃₀ N₂ O₂, HCl: C, 69.47%; H, 7.53%; N, 6.75%.Found: C, 69.59%; H, 7.78%; N, 6.50%.

Example 19 ##STR22##

2-Methylnicotinic acid methyl ester (4.0 g, 0.026 mol) was dissolved in1 N hydrochloric acid (30 ml) and 10% palladium on carbon (0.8 g) wasadded. The resulting mixture was hydrogenated at 200 psi for 10 days.The reaction mixture was filtered and the solid was washed withdichloromethane (100 ml) and water (50 ml). The combined filtrates wereevaporated in vacuo to give a residue which was reevaporated withdichloromethane (2×30 ml). This afforded 5.1 g of crude2-methyl-3-piperidinecarboxylic acid methyl ester hydrochloride whichwas used for further reaction without purification.

A mixture of potassium iodide (17.5 g, 0.11 mol) and methyl ethyl ketone(180 ml) was heated at reflux temperature for 1 h. A solution of5-(3-chloropropyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine (4.8 g, 0.019mol, prepared similarly as described in example 1) in methyl ethylketone (25 ml) was added and heating at reflux temperature was continuedfor 2 h. Potassium carbonate (8.5 g, 0.061 mol) and2-methyl-3-piperidinecarboxylic acid methyl ester hydrochloride (5.1 g,0.026 mol) were added and the reaction mixture was heated just belowreflux temperature for 64 h. After cooling, the reaction mixture wasfiltered (Hyflo) and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residuewas purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (275 g) using amixture of heptane and ethyl acetate (1:1) as eluent, to give 3.4 g of1-(3-(10,11-dihyd ro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-2-methyl-3-piperidinecarboxylic acidmethyl ester as an oil.

To a solution of the above ester (3.4 g, 0.0087 mol) in 96% ethanol (15ml), 4 N sodium hydroxide (4.4 ml) was added and the mixture was stirredat room temperature for 4 h and then left in a refrigerator overnight.Stirring was continued at room temperature for 5 h and 4 N hydrochloricacid (6 ml) was added. The solvent was evaporated and the residue wastriturated with acetone (30 ml) for 10 minutes. The solid was isolatedby filtration, washed with acetone and dried in vacuo. The solid wassuspended in a mixture of water (35 ml) and dichloromethane (800 ml). Asaturated sodium bicarbonate solution was added until pH 8-9 and whenthe solid had dissolved. The phases were separated. and the aqueousphase-was extracted with dichloromethane (250 ml). The organic extractswere combined and the volume was reduced by evaporation. Excessconcentrated hydrochloric acid was added and the mixture was evaporatedto dryness. The residue was reevaporated twice with dichloromethane andthen triturated with acetone. The solid was isolated by filtration anddried in vacuo. This afforded 2.4 g of the title compound as a solid.

M.p. 169-170° C.

Calculated. for C₂₄ H₃₀ N₂ O₂, HCl, H₂ O: C, 66.59%; H, 7.63%; N, 6.47%.Found: C, 66.64%; H, 7.94%; N, 6.23%.

Example 20 ##STR23##

5-(3-Chloropropyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepine (1.70 g, 6.25mmol, prepared as described in example 1), and quinuclidine-3-carboxylicacid methyl ester (0.85 g, 5.0 mmol) were dissolved in 2-butanone (25ml). Dry potassium carbonate (4.15 g, 30 mmol) and sodium iodide (0.75g, 5 mmol) were added and the stirred mixture was heated at refluxtemperature for 5 h. After cooling to room temperature, toluene (25 ml)and water (25 ml) were added. An oily precipitate was formed, which wasseparated from the solvents by decanting and dissolved indichloromethane (30 ml). The solution was washed with water (2×30 ml), 1N hydrochloric acid (2×30 ml), saturated sodium hydrogencarbonatesolution (30 ml) and water (30 ml). The organic layer was dried overMgSO₄. Evaporation in vacuo afforded 1.15 g1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-3-methoxycarbonyl-quinuclidiniumhydroxide. The crude product was directly used in the next step withoutfurther purification.

The above ester (1.05 g, 2.50 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (12.5 ml).A 2 N solution of sodium hydroxide (4.1 ml, 8.25 mmol) was added and theresulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. Water(10 ml) was added and ethanol was evaporated in vacuo. The remainingaqueous solution was washed with diethyl ether (2×30 ml) and extractedwith 1-butanol (3×20 ml). The butanol phases were washed with water (10ml) and evaporated in vacuo. Stripping of the remainder with n-heptane(3×20 ml) afforded the title compound (0.71 g) as a foam.

Calculated for C₂₅ H₃₀ N₂ O₂, 3.5 H₂ O: C, 66.20%; H, 8.22%; N, 6.18%;Found: C, 66.52%; H, 8.03%; N, 5.79%.

Example 21 ##STR24##

2,8-Dibromo-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine (1.41 g, 4.0 mmol,prepared according to K. Smith et al., Tetrahedron, 48, 7479 (1992)),was dissolved in toluene (25 ml). Triethylamine (0.60 ml, 4.4 mmol) and3-chloropropionyl chloride (0.50 ml, 5.2 mmol) were added to the stirredsolution at room temperature. Stirring was continued at room temperaturefor 1 h and at reflux temperature for 2.5 h. The reaction mixture wascooled, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The crude3-chloro-1-(2,8-dibromo-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-yl)propan-1-onewas used in the next step without further purification.

A solution of lithium aluminium hydride (0.326 g, 8.56 mmol) in drytetrahydrofuran (30 ml) was cooled in an ice bath and concentratedsulphuric acid (0.428 g, 4.28 mmol) was added dropwise. The solution wasstirred at room temperature for 0.5 h. A solution of the above product(1.90 g, 4.28 mmol) was added dropwise and stirring was continued for0.5 h. The reaction was then quenched by careful addition of ethylacetate (5 ml) followed by water (0.8 ml). Filtration of the mixture andevaporation of the filtrate in vacuo afforded 1.51 g (82%)2,8-dibromo-5-(3-chloropropyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine as afoam, which was used in the next step without further purification.

The above chloride (1.5 g, 3.5 mmol) and ethyl isonipecotate (0.79 g,5.0 mmol) was dissolved in 2-butanone (40 ml). Potassium carbonate (1.4g, 10 mmol) and potassium iodide (0.43 g, 2.6 mmol) were added and thestirred mixture was heated at reflux temperature for 60 h. The reactionmixture was filtered, the filtrate concentrated in vacuo and theremainder was redissolved in diethyl ether (50 ml). The product wasprecipitated as the hydrochloride salt by dropwise addition of a 2.6 Msolution of hydrogen chloride in diethyl ether (2.0 ml, 5.2 mmol). Theprecipitate was collected by filtration and dried in vacuo, affording1.3 g (63%) of the1-(3-(2,8-dibromo-10,11-dihydro-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-propyl)-4-piperidine-carboxylicacid ethyl ester hydrochloride as a powder, which was used in the nextstep without further purification.

The above ester hydrochloride (1.30 g, 2.2 mmol) was dissolved inethanol (15 ml) and 2N sodium hydroxide (4.0 ml) was added. The solutionwas stirred for 1.5 h at room temperature, acidified by addition of 1 Nhydrochloric acid to pH 1 and ethanol was evaporated in vacuo. Theaqueous suspension was washed with diethyl ether and filtered.Recrystallisation of the collected solid from ethanol afforded 0.25 g,(19%) of the title compound.

M.p. 165-166° C.

Calculated for C₂₃ H₂₆ N₂ Br₂ O₂, HCl, 0.5 H₂ O, 0.5 C₂ H₆ O: C, 48.79%;H, 5.29%; N, 4.74%; Found: C, 48.64%; H, 5.39%; N, 4.58%.

Example 22 ##STR25##

3,7-Dichloro-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine (4.6 g, 17 mmol) wasdissolved in toluene (30 ml) and 3-chloropropionyl chloride (2.3 ml, 24mmol) was added. The resulting mixture was heated at 90° C. for 3 h,stirred at room temperature for 3 days and heated at 90° C. for 3 h.After cooling, ethyl acetate (150 ml) was added and the mixture waswashed with water (2×100 ml). The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄) andevaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatographyon silica gel (600 ml), using a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptane(1:4) as eluent. This afforded 4.7 g (76%)3-chloro-1-(3,7-dichloro-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propanoneas an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.14 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:4)

Lithium aluminum hydride (0.44 g, 11.6 mmol) was dissolved in drytetrahydrofuran (15 ml) and the solution was cooled to 0° C.Concentrated sulphuric acid (0.31 ml, 5.8 mmol) was slowly andcautiously added using a syringe. The suspension was stirred at roomtemperature for 0.5 h. A solution of the above amide (2.0 g, 5.8 mmol)in dry tetrahydrofuran (15 ml) was added dropwise to the suspension. Theresulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reactionwas quenched by addition of water (1.4 ml), 2 N sodium hydroxide (0.5ml), water (4 ml), and potassium carbonate (5.0 g). The mixture wasfiltered, and the filter cake was washed with dry tetrahydrofuran. Thecombined filtrates were evaporated in vacuo to give 1.4 g (69%)5-(3-chloropropyl)-3,7-dichloro-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine asan oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.66 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:2)

The above chloride (1.3 g, 3.8 mmol) was dissolved in methyl ethylketone (20 ml). Potassium iodide (0.63 g, 3.8 mmol), potassium carbonate(3.2 g, 23 mmol), and 4-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (1.2 ml,7.6 mmol) were added, and the resulting mixture was heated at refluxtemperature for 24 h.

After cooling, ethyl acetate (100 ml) was added and the mixture waswashed with water (2×100 ml). The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄) andevaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatographyon silica gel (600 ml), using a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptane(1:2) as eluent. This afforded 0.84 g (48%)1-(3-(3,7-dichloro-10,1.1-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)4-piperidinecarboxylicacid ethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.22 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetatelheptane=1:2)

The above ethyl ester (0.8 9, 1.7 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (20ml), and water (10 ml) and 1 N sodium hydroxide (1.7 ml) were added. Theresulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 h. Water (100ml) was added and the mixture was washed with diethyl ether (2×60 ml).The pH of the aqueous phase was adjusted to I with 5 N hydrochloricacid, and the aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane (2×100ml). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated invacuc to give an oil. 2-Propanol (15 ml) was added, and the resultingprecipitate was filtered off and washed with 2-propanol. Drying in vacuoat 50° C. for 24 h afforded 0.33 g (41%) of the title compound.

M.p. 237-239° C.

MS(EI) (m/z): 432 (M⁺, 14%), 303 (43%), 142 (100%).

¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ_(H) 1.72-2.02 (m, 5H), 2.48 (m, 1H), 2.85(m, 2H), 3.05 (m, 2H), 3.08 (s, 4H), 3.39 (m, 2H), 3.80 (t, 2H), 7.03(dd, 2H), 7.17 (d, 25 2H), 7.22 (d, 2H).

Example 23 ##STR26##

5-(3-Bromo-1-propylidene)-3-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene (1.05 g, 3.3 mmol, prepared as described inWO 9518793) was dissolved in methyl ethyl ketone (20 ml). Potassiumiodide (0.44 g, 6.7 mmol), potassium carbonate (2.76 g, 20 mmol), and4-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (0.77 ml, 5.0 mmol) were addedand the resulting mixture was heated at reflux temperature for 1 h.After cooling, ethyl acetate (60 ml) was added and the mixture waswashed with water (2×60 ml). The organic phase was dried (MgSO₄) andevaporated in vacuo. The residue (1.7 g) was purified by columnchromatography on silica gel (600 ml), using a mixture of ethyl acetateand heptane (1;2) as eluent. This afforded 0.97 g (73%)1-(3-(3-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid ethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.20 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetateiheptane=1:2)

The above ethyl ester (0.91 g, 1.7 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (15ml), and water (5 ml) and 1 N sodium hydroxide (2.7 ml) were added. Theresulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 h. The reactionmixture was evaporated in vacuo. Water (100 ml) and diethyl ether (70ml) were added, and the phases were separated. The pH of the aqueousphase was adjusted to 2 with 1 N hydrochloric acid, and the aqueousphase was extracted with dichloromethane (3×200 ml). The combinedorganic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo to give 0.12g (13%) of the title compound. More material separated from the acidicaqueous phase on standing. The precipitate was filtered off, washed withwater, and dried to give 0.34 g (36%) of the title compound.

M.p. >250° C.

Calculated for C₂₅ H₂₉ NO₂, HCl: C, 72.89%; H, 7.34%; N. 3.40%. Found:C, 72.65%; H, 7.43%; N, 3.26%.

Example 24 ##STR27##

To a solution of 3,7-dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine (6.45g, 0.029 mol; prepared similarly as described in Brit.Pat. 792615, 1958)and 3-bromo-1-propyl tetrahydro-2-pyranyl ether (8.3 g, 0.037 mol) indry 7-benzene (80 ml) a suspension of sodium amide (3.2 g, 0.041 moI,50% wt suspension in toluene) was added. The reaction mixture was heatedat reflux temperature for 20 h, allowed to cool, and water (20 ml) wasadded. The phases were separated, the solvent was evaporated from theorganic phase and the residue was dissolved in a mixture of methanol(100 ml) and 5 N HCl (30 ml). The mixture was then heated at refluxtemperature for 15 minutes, methanol was evaporated and the mixture wasextracted with benzene (2×150 ml). The combined organic extracts weredried (K₂ CO₃), filtered and the solvent was evaporated under vacuum.The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (50 g) usingfirst benzene as eluent to separate the starting material. Then, usingchloroform as eluent, 2.4 g of3-(3,7-dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propanol asan oil was separated.

The above alcohol (2.4 g, 0.0087 mol) was dissolved in benzene (80 ml)and then triethyl amine (3.0 ml) was added. After addition of methane.sulfonylchloride (1.3 g, 0.0114 mol) the reaction mixture was stirredfor 2 h. Water was added and the phases were separated. The organicphase was dried (MgSO₄) and the solvent was evaporated under vacuum. Theresidue was dissolved in acetone (50 ml). To this solution4piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (2.0 g, 0.0127 mol) and potassiumcarbonate (3.0 g, 0.0217 mol) were added, and the mixture was heated atreflux temperature for 24 h. The mixture was allowed to cool, thenfiltered and the solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give a residue,which was-further purified by chromatography on silica gel (40 g) usingchloroform as eluent. This afforded 2.6 g of1-(3-(3,7-dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]-azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid ethyl ester as an oil.

The above ester (2.4 g, 0.057 mol) was dissolved in ethanol (50 ml) and5 N NaOH (3 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 16 h,and ethanol was evaporated under vacuum to give a residue, which wasdissolved in water (20 ml). Acetic acid (3 ml) was added to theresulting solution, and the mixture was extracted with dichloromethane(50 ml). The organic extract was dried (MgSO₄), and the solvent wasevaporated under vacuum. Diethyl ether (50 ml) was added to the residue,affording after filtration and drying 1.85 g (82%) of the title compoundas a solid.

M.p. 207-209° C.

Calculated for C₂₅ H₃₂ N₂ O₂, 0.25 H₂ O: C, 75.63%; H, 8.25%; N, 7.06%;Found: C, 75.58%; H, 8.30%, N, 6.89%.

Example 25 ##STR28##

A suspension of sodium amide (2.6 g, 0.033 mol, 50% wt suspension intoluene) was added to a solution of3-dimethylamino-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine (6.1 g, 0,0256 mol,prepared similarly as described in Brit. Pat., 1040739,1966) in drybenzene (60 ml). The reaction mixture was heated to 70° C. for 1 h.3-Bromo-1-propyl-tetrahydro-2-pyranyl ether (7.35 g, 0.033 mol) wasadded and the mixture was heated at reflux temperature for 20 h. To thecooled reaction mixture, water (20 ml) was added, and the phases wereseparated. The solvent was evaporated from the organic phase and theresidue was dissolved in a mixture of methanol (100 ml) and 5 N HCl (30ml). The mixture was heated at reflux temperature for 15 minutes, andmethanol was evaporated. Water (50 ml) was added, pH was adjusted to 8-9with aqueous ammonia and the mixture was extracted with benzene (2×150ml). The combined organic extracts were dried (K₂ CO₃), filtered and thesolvent was evaporated under vacuum. The residue, was purified bychromatography on silica gel (50 g) using first benzene as eluent toisolate the starting material. Then, using chloroform as eluent, 3.5 gof3-(3-di-methylamino-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propanolas an oil was isolated.

The above alcohol (3.5 g, 0.0118 mol) was dissolved in benzene (100 ml)and triethylamine (4.0 ml) and methane sulfonylchloride (1.7 g, 0.0148mol) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h. Afteraddition of water, the phases were separated. The organic phase wasdried (MgSO₄) and the solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give aresidue, which was dissolved in acetone (50 ml). To this solution4-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (2.8 g, 0.0178 mol) andpotassium carbonate (4.13, 0.03 mol) were added and the mixture washeated at reflux temperature for 24 h. The mixture was allowed to cool,filtered and the solvent was evaporated under vacuum to give a residue,which was further purified by chromatography on silica gel (50 9) usingethyl acetate as eluent. This afforded 3.1 g of 1-(3(3-dimethylaminol10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid ethyl ester as an oil.

The above ester (1.95 g, 0.0045 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (40 ml)and 5 N NaOH (3 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 8h, and ethanol was evaporated under vacuum. The residue was dissolved inwater (20 ml). Acetic acid (3 ml) was added to the resulting solutionand the mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (50 ml). The organic,extract was dried (MgSO₄), and the solvent was evaporated under vacuum.Diethyl ether (50 ml) was added to the residue, affording 1.67 g (91%)of the title compound as a solid after filtration and drying.

M.p. 198-202° C. Calculated for C₂₅ H₃₃ N₃ O₂, 0.25 H₂ O: C, 72.87%; H,8.19 %; N, 10.20%, Found: C, 72.73 %; H, 8.32 %; N, 10.00 .

Example 26 ##STR29##

2-Piperidinecarboxylic acid (26 g, 0.201 mol) and (+)-tartaric acid(31.2 g, 0.208 mol) were suspended in a mixture of ethanol (400 ml) andwater (25 ml). The mixture was heated to 80° C., and the solution wasallowed to cool to room temperature. The precipitated solid was filteredoff, washed with ethanol and dried to give 25.4 g (45%)(R)-(+)-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid (+)-tartrate. The mother liquor wasevaporated in vacuo, and the residue was dissolved in water (120 ml). Asolution of potassium hydroxide (6.5 g, 116 mmol) in water (13 ml) wasadded, and the precipitated mono potassium tartrate was removed byfiltration. Evaporation of the filtrate in vacuo afforded 19.5 g crude(S)-(-)-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid.

The above (+)-tartrate (20 g, 72 mmol) was dissolved in water (60 ml)and a solution of potassium hydroxide (4.0 g, 72 mmol) in water (8 ml)was added. The precipitated mono potassium tartrate was removed byfiltration and washed with water. The mother liquor was evaporated invacuo, and the residue was suspended in ethanol (100 ml) and evaporatedin vacuo. Suspension in ethanol and evaporation in vacuo was repeatedtwice. The residue was suspended in ethanol (200 ml), and thionylchloride (24 ml, 0.28 mol) was added dropwise. The resulting mixture washeated at 70° C. for 2 h, cooled to room temperature and evaporated invacuo. Diethyl ether (40 ml) and ethanol (1 ml) were added and thesuspension was stirred for 30 minutes. The solid was filtered off,washed with diethyl ether and dried to give 11.4 g (82%) of(R)-(+)-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride.

[α]²⁵ _(D) =+10.5° (c=4.5% in water)

Gas Chromatography of N-acetyl derivative: R_(t) =46.4 minutes.Enantiomeric excess=97.9%

(GC was run on a Chrompac CP 9000 Gas Chromatograph with F.I.D.detection using a Chrompac CP-Cyclodextrin capillary column, 25 m long,0.25 mm internal diameter, using a split flow of 40 ml/min, 180 kPa, alinear gas velocity of 27.6 cm/s, inlet and detector temperatures of200° C. and a column temperature of 120° C.).

5-(3-Bromo-1-propylidene)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene (2.7g, 8.6 mmol, prepared as described in WO 9518793), potassium carbonate(7.14 g, 52 mmol), potassium iodide (1.4 g 8.6 mmol), and(R)-(+)-2-piperidine-carboxylic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride (3.3 g,17 mmol) were mixed in methyl ethyl ketone (50 ml) and heated at refluxtemperature for 3 days. After cooling to room temperature, ethyl acetate(100 ml) was added and the mixture was washed with water (2×100 ml). Theorganic phase was dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo. The residue waspurified by column chromatography on silica gel (600 ml), using amixture of ethyl acetate and heptane (1:4) as eluent. This afforded 2.629 (78%) of(R)-1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclo-hepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-2-piperidinecarboxylicacid ethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.28 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:4)

The above ester (2.6 g, 6.7 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of ethanol(25 ml) and 1,4dioxane (2 ml). 1 N Sodium hydroxide (6.7 ml) was addedand the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. 1 N Sodiumhydroxide (1.3 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 4 h. 1 N Sodium hydroxide (6.9 ml) and ethanol (10 ml)were added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. 1 NSodium hydroxide (6.9 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 16 h. 1 N Sodium hydroxide (6.7 ml) was added and themixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 days. Water (100 ml) wasadded and the mixture was washed with diethyl ether (3×100 ml). The pHof the aqueous phase was adjusted to 1 with 5 N hydrochloric acid, andthe aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane (150 ml). Theorganic extract was dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo to give anoil. Acetone (50 ml) was added and the solution was evaporated in vacuo.The acetone treatment was repeated. The solid was suspended in acetoneand filtered off. Drying in vacuo at 50° C. for 24 h afforded 1.2 g(51%) of the title compound as an amorphous powder.

MS(EI) (m/z): 316 (M⁺, 1%), 142 (100%).

¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ_(H) 1.45-1.75 (m, 5H), 2.1 (m, 1H), 2.4-2.55(m, 2H), 2.75-3.4 (m, 8H), 3.90 (bs, 1H), 5.80 (t, 1H), 7.05-7.23 (m,8H).

Example 27 ##STR30##

Crude (S)-(-)-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid (19.5 g, prepared as describedin example 26) was suspended in ethanol (250 ml), and thionyl chloride(40 ml, 0.46 mol) was added dropwise. After addition was complete, thesuspension was heated at reflux temperature for 2 h. The mixture wasfiltered hot, and the filtrate was cooled to room temperature.Filtration and evaporation in vacuo afforded an oil, which wascrystallised by rubbing. Ethanol (10 ml) was added, followed by slowaddition of diethyl ether (150 ml). The precipitated solid was filteredoff, washed with diethyl ether and dried by suction to give 13.8 g (35%calculated from 2-piperidinecarboxylic acid)(S)-(-)-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride.

[α]²⁵ _(D) =-10.7° (c=4.5% in water)

Gas Chromatography (run as described in example 26) of N-acetylderivative: R_(t) =47.2 minutes. Enantiomeric excess=96%.

5-(3-Bromo-1-propylidene)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene (2.7g, 8.6 mmol, prepared as described in WO 9518793), potassium carbonate(7.14 g, 52 mmol), potassium iodide (1.4 g, 8.6 mmol), and(S)-(-)-2-piperidinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride (3.3 g, 17mmol) were mixed in methyl ethyl ketone (50 ml) and heated at refluxtemperature for 3 days. After cooling to room temperature, ethyl acetate(100 ml) was added and the mixture was washed with water (2×100 ml),dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified bycolumn chromatography on silica gel (600 ml), using a mixture of ethylacetate and heptane (1:4) as eluent. This afforded 2.3 g (69%) of(S)-1-(3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo-[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-1-propyl)-2-piperidinecarboxylicacidethyl ester as an oil.

TLC: R_(f) =0.22 (SiO₂ :ethyl acetate/heptane=1:4)

The above ester (2.3 g, 5.9 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of ethanol(25 ml) and 1,4-dioxane (2 ml). 1 N Sodium hydroxide (5.9 ml) was addedand the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. 1 N Sodiumhydroxide (1.18 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 4 h. 1 N Sodium hydroxide (5.9 ml) was added and themixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. 1 N Sodium hydroxide(5.9 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for16 h. 1 N Sodium hydroxide (5.9 ml) was added and the mixture wasstirred at room temperature for 3 days. Water (100 ml) was added and themixture was washed with diethyl ether (3×100 ml). The pH of the aqueousphase was adjusted to 1 with 5 N hydrochloric acid, and the aqueousphase was extracted with dichloromethane (150 ml). The organic extractwas dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo to give an oil. Acetone (50ml) was added and the solution was evaporated in vacuo. The acetonetreatment was repeated again. The solid was suspended in acetone,filtered off and dried in vacuo at 50° C. for 24 h to give 0.79 g (37%)of the title compound as an amorphus powder.

MS(EI) (m/z): 362 (M⁺, 1%), 142 (100%).

¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ_(H) 1.45 -1.75 (m, 5H), 2.1 (m, 1H),2.4-2.55 (m, 2H), 2.75-3.4 (m, 8H), 3.80 (bs, 1H), 5.80 (t, 1H),7.05-7.23 (m, 8H).

We claim:
 1. A compound of formula I ##STR31## wherein R¹ and R²independently are hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, NR⁶ R⁷, hydroxy,C₁₋₆ -alkyl or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy wherein R⁶ and R⁷ independently are hydrogenor C₁₋₆ -alkyl;Y is >N--CH₂ --, wherein only the underscored atomparticipates in the ring system; X is --CH₂ CH₂ --, --CH₂ --(C═O)--,--(C═O)--CH₂ --, or --CH═CH--; r is 1, 2 or 3; and Z is ##STR32##wherein R³ is --(CH₂)_(p) COR⁴ wherein p is 0 or 1 and R⁴ is --OH,--NH₂, --NHOH or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy; R⁵ is hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl,hydroxy, C₁₋₆ -alkyl or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy; R¹⁰ is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ -alkyl orC₁₋₆ -alkoxy; and is a single or double bond; or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹and R² independently are hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy,C₁₋₆ -alkyl or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy.
 3. A compound according to claim 2, whereinX is --CH₂ CH₂ --.
 4. A compound according to claim 2, wherein X is--CH═CH--.
 5. A compound according to claim 2, wherein Z is ##STR33## 6.A compound according to claim 1 which is:1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-3-piperidinecarboxamide;1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-2-piperidinecarboxylicacid;1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidineaceticacid;1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-3-piperidineaceticacid;1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-2-methyl-3-piperidinecarboxylicacid;1-(3-(2,8-Dibromo-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;1-(3-(3,7-Dichloro-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;1-(3-(3,7-Dimethyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;1-(3-(3-Dimethylamino-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)4-piperidinecarboxylicacid;1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-3-piperidinecarboxylicacid hydroxamide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. Acompound according to claim 1 whichis:1-(3-(3-Chloro-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-piperidinecarboxylicacid; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a compound according to claim 1 together with apharmaceutically carrier or diluent.
 9. The pharmaceutical compositionaccording to claim 8, wherein the compound is present in an amount ofbetween 0.5 mg and 1000 mg per unit dose.
 10. A method of treatingdiabetic neuropathy, migraine, neurogenic inflammation, or rheumatoidarthritis in a subject in need of such treatment comprisingadministering to the subject an effective amount of a compound accordingto claim
 1. 11. A method of treating insulin resistance in a subject inneed of such treatment comprising administering to the subject aneffective amount of a compound according to claim
 1. 12. A method oftreating diabetic neuropathy, migraine, neurogenic inflammation, orrheumatoid arthritis in a subject in need of such treatment comprisingadministering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceuticalcomposition according to claim
 9. 13. A method of treating insulinresistance in a subject in need of such treatment comprisingadministernn to the subject an effective amount a pharmaceuticalcomposition according to claim
 9. 14. A compound of formula I ##STR34##wherein R¹ and R² independently are hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl,NR⁶ R⁷, hydroxy,C₁₋₆ -alkyl or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy wherein R⁶ and R⁷independently are hydrogen or C₁₋₆ -alkyl; Y is >N--CH₂ --, wherein onlythe underscored atom participates in the ring system; X is --CH₂ CH₂ --,--CH₂ --(C═O)--, --(C═O)--CH₂ --, or --CH═CH--; r is 1, 2 or3; and Z is##STR35## wherein R³ is --(CH₂)_(m) OH wherein m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or6; R⁵ is halogen, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy; R¹⁰ is C₁₋₆-alkoxy or phenyl optionally substituted with halogen, trifluoromethyl,hydroxy, C₁₋₆ -alkyl or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy; and . . . is a single or doublebond; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 15. Apharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 14together with a pharmaceutically carrier or diluent.
 16. Thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 15, wherein the compoundis present in an amount of between 0.5 mg and 1000 mg per unit dose. 17.A method of treating diabetic neuropathy, migraine, neurogenicinflammation, or rheumatoid arthritis in a subject in need of suchtreatment comprising administering to the subject an effective amount ofa compound according to claim
 14. 18. A method of treating insulinresistance in a subject in need of such treatment comprisingadministering to the subject an effective amount of a compound accordingto claim
 14. 19. A method of treating diabetic neuropathy, migraine,neurogenic inflammation, or rheumatoid arthritis in a subject in need ofsuch treatment comprising administering to the subject an effectiveamount of a pharmaceutical composition according to claim
 15. 20. Amethod of treating insulin resistance in a subject in need of suchtreatment comprising administering to the subject an effective amount apharmaceutical composition according to claim
 15. 21. A compound offormula I ##STR36## wherein R¹ and R² independently are hydrogen,halogen, trifluoromethyl, NR⁶ R⁷, hydroxy, C₁₋₆ -alkyl or C₁₋₆ -alkoxywherein R⁶ and R⁷ independently are hydrogen or C₁₋₆ -alkyl;Y is >N--CH₂--, wherein only the underscored atom participates in the ring system; Xis --CH₂ CH₂ --, --CH₂ --(C═O)--, --(C═O)--CH₂ --, or --CH--CH--; r is1, 2 or 3; and Z is ##STR37## wherein R³ is --(CH₂)_(m) OH or--(CH₂)_(p) COR⁴ wherein m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, p is 0 or 1 and R⁴is --OH, --NH₂, --NHOH or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.
 22. A compound according to claim 21, wherein R¹ and R²independently are hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₁₋₆ -alkoxy.
 23. A compound according to claim 22, wherein Xis --CH₂ CH₂ --.
 24. A compound according to claim 22, wherein X is--CH═CH--.
 25. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compoundaccording to claim 21 together with a pharmaceutically carrier ordiluent.
 26. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 25,wherein the compound is present in an amount of between 0.5 mg and 1000mg per unit dose.
 27. A method of treating diabetic neuropathy,migraine, neurogenic inflammation, or rheumatoid arthritis in a subjectin need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject aneffective amount of a compound according to claim
 21. 28. A method oftreating insulin resistance in a subject in need of such treatmentcomprising administering to the subject an effective amount of acompound according to claim
 21. 29. A method of treating diabeticneuropathy, migraine, neurogenic inflammation, or rheumatoid arthritisin a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to thesubject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according toclaim
 25. 30. A method of treating insulin resistance in a subject inneed of such treatment comprising administering to the subject aneffective amount a pharmaceutical composition according to claim
 25. 31.A compound which is(2S,4R)-1-(3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepin-5-yl)-1-propyl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylicacid.